Banking, homebuilding, and government leaders urged Congress to expand housing reforms, saying the passed federal law missed barriers affecting Americans' ability to buy homes.
Large housing commitments from lenders and a rental platform highlighted financing interest, even as one banking executive said middle-income buyers were priced out.
That executive said a middle-income home needed $124K income after ~doubling in 5 yr, while 169 of 390 metros lacked enough supply.
Industry advocates said federal sourcing rules increase compliance demands, and a trade group estimated fees and related costs added $131K to building a new home.
Builders said local politics often shape project success, making public-private deals, timing, and cleaner deregulation important tools for developing communities more quickly.

AI valuation tools promised speed, efficiency, and lower costs, but accuracy still varies widely, especially when estimates replace on-the-ground judgment for pricing, lending, or taxes.
Free consumer tools offered quick ballpark values from public records, listings, and past sales, yet the estimates were not appraisals and could mislead owners.
Higher-end tools targeted lenders and investors through subscriptions, licensing, and per-report fees, while some platforms added forecasts, workflow automation, or human review for consistency.
Current concerns centered on algorithms learning biased historical patterns, potentially undervaluing some neighborhoods, affecting equity, refinancing, sales outcomes, and drawing growing regulatory scrutiny.
The clearest takeaway: use automated valuations as assistants, not final answers, and pair them with transparency, independent audits, and human expertise for major decisions.

We’ve seen home prices across the US continue to rise—about 0.3% month-over-month on a seasonally adjusted basis in Mid-Q3. While that’s a slight slowdown compared to the previous two months, the year-over-year growth still sits at around 4%, marking the fastest pace we’ve seen in a year. Even as the monthly momentum has cooled, values have held firm across the nation.

This Mid-Q3 stretch has shaped up to be the strongest buyer’s market on record, with higher housing costs and some economic uncertainty tempering demand, while the number of homes for sale keeps growing. Many homeowners are standing firm, supported by substantial equity, and they aren’t under much pressure to make big price cuts.

If you’re buying, the slower pace means you can take the time to explore, compare, and negotiate—patience can pay off. For sellers, setting a realistic price from the start is more important than ever to stand out. In the Willamette Valley, I’m seeing these same trends play out: steady values, more choice for buyers, and a market that rewards thoughtful strategy on both sides.

As a Salem-based REALTOR® serving the Willamette Valley, I’ve seen firsthand how homeownership shapes financial security for Oregonians. Recent numbers highlight this: median home equity here has reached $270K, outpacing the median household net worth of $248.9K. Oregon now ranks 10th in the country for this dynamic, with many homeowners holding more of their wealth in property than in other assets.

This strong equity position is a testament to the resilience of our local housing market. But when so much net worth is tied up in a home, it can limit flexibility for other opportunities—whether that’s refinancing, downsizing, or pursuing broader financial goals. Understanding just how much of your wealth is in your property is key to making informed decisions about your next steps. For those considering their options, balancing real estate success with overall financial health is an important part of the conversation in Oregon right now.